AfriGeneas Writers Forum

I just had to responds to the "excellent" posting that you wrote entitled, "YOU HAVE TO READ IN ORDER TO WRITE ."

I hope that you don't mind, but I have to share a story with you. I had attended the FGS conference this year in Philadelphia. I had a wonderful time there. I gained some much useful information. At the end of one of the lectures a lady raised her hand to ask a question. She began to talk about how she discovered that her Grandfather moved from a northern state to the south. She had no explanation for it. I had raised my hand in an attempt to help give her some possible ways to find out the solution to her problem. Once I was acknowledged, I suggested that perhaps she do some reading on not only the town and surrounding area where her ancestors once lived, but also the location to where they moved. She immediately cut me off. Shaking her head as she turned away from me and said, " Oh, that ain't got nothing to do with it!" The very next day while talking with others and awaiting the start of a lecture, I was telling a couple of researchers about some of the interesting historical events that not only occurred during the time of my ancestors, but events that I have proof that they were also a participant. The lady that I had attempted to help joined the crowd and preceded to talk about her one-on-one discussion with Tony Burrough. After she had finished, someone had asked her how did it go. She ended her conversation stating that she was advised to scrap what she had gathered and to start all over from the very beginning.

I have been reading historical books, documents about other families that seemingly have no direct relationship at least initially to my research. While acquiring pension documents of my Great, Great, Great Grandfather, I have researched the information from different angles. I've uncovered civil war books and documents about the Union Army as well as the Confederate, about the slave owners and anything else that came my way. Through my reading and the information that I've gathered on my ancestors, I have factual information to corroborate the actual day and historical event that took place during the escape of my ancestor from slavery and later to join the USCT.

It is truly fascinating when researchers do not have to pick obituary dates and events to coincide with the research that they are gathering. Researching the time period, events that encompass the world, the continent or just the local town can enrich one's knowledge of the life and times of their ancestor.

I guess I wrote this rather lengthy response to your statements to say that I totally agree with your posting and very much appreciate it.